February 12, 2026

By: Juan Calvillo

Playstation showcased a bevy of new titles slated to hit both the Playstation 5 and PC, as well as partner studios celebrating anniversaries during the February 12 State of Play. Here are three notable takeaways from the event.

The console and home computer connection

Playstation has made huge strides over the last few years when it comes to its games landing on both their premiere console, the Playstation 5, and PC. One of the bigger successes of this crossover between console and PC has been “Helldivers 2.” In the first few months of release the title sold 12 million copies on both Playstation 5 and PC. Multiple other titles have been released since then and more are scheduled to follow suit.

The February 12 State of Play continues to show how quickly games are now being announced for both platforms. “Kena 2: Scars of Kosmora” and “4 Loop” are titles that will see releases on PC and Playstation 5, and “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” will release on PC on March 19. Ember Lab has taken “Kena 2” to the next level with a bigger world and an enhanced battle system. Players can expect it to launch this year. A pre-beta is revving up for “4 Loop,” an action game from Bad Robot Games. The title will focus on player interactivity to choose maps and actions that will have consequences.

Anniversaries galore

Both Konami and Playstation’s Santa Monica Studios celebrated some big anniversaries this year. A new entry into the Castlevania series helped celebrate the franchise's 40th anniversary. Classic gameplay and beautiful visuals should keep fans happy when “Castlevania: Belmont's Curse” releases this year.

Santa Monica Studio continues celebrating the 20th anniversary of the God of War franchise with the announcement that the original trilogy, or the Greek trilogy, is getting a remake. Terrence “TC” Carson, Kratos’ original voice actor, announced during the State of Play that the remake is in the early stages of development. He also teased a final update for the anniversary of the franchise which turned out to be a new game by Mega Cat Studio, in conjunction with Santa Monica Studio. The title is a new entry in the God of War franchise named “God of War: Sons of Sparta” and is available now.

A landslide of games for 2026

With so many new games it is easier to show rather than tell. Check out the following list of upcoming games and dates announced during the State of Play. This list is ongoing and more titles may be added.

• Rayman 30th Anniversary - Physical edition: June 26, 2026

• Rayman 30th Anniversary - Digital edition: February 13, 2026

• 007 First Light - May 27, 2026

• Darwin’s Paradox! - April 2, 2026

• Silent Hill Townfall - 2026

• Marathon - March 5, 2026

• Saros - April 30, 2026

• Marvel: Tokon Fighting Souls - August 6, 2026

• God of War: Sons of Sparta - Available Now

• Pragmata - April 24, 2026

• Resident Evil: Requiem - February 27, 2026

• Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered - March 3, 2026 (PS4 & PS5)

• Beast of Reincarnation - August 4, 2026

January 29, 2026

By: Juan Calvillo

**editors note: a change to the date of resignation for Arturo Flores was added and additional links were added.**

Eduardo Martinez, former vice mayor of Huntington Park, California, was appointed mayor for one year during the January 27 city council meeting. In an interview with the Huntington Park News Blog last week, Martinez said continuing to inform people of the resources available to them and the rights they have, especially during the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that continue across the country, is something he wants to continue during his time in office.

“Obviously, it is difficult to confront federal authority, but if there’s anything we can do to provide a bubble over our city to protect our families, we’ll continue that,” Martinez said.

He commended former mayor Arturo Flores for the work he started in confronting the challenges of ICE raids across the Los Angeles area, and in Huntington Park specifically. Martinez said work needed to be done to address Huntington Park citizens concerns with Pacific Blvd. and that a reimagining of this part of the city’s commercial area is needed.

“That’s a high priority this year,” Martinez said.

According to Martinez, a reorganization of the positions of mayor and vice mayor was to take place sometime in March or April.

Despite having to take the position earlier than that, Martinez said the current situation does help a bit when it comes to mayors getting their full term. He said once the voting ordinance is changed in Huntington Park, mayors will get the correct full time in office.

Huntington Park municipal code 2-9.01 states, “The date of the City's General Municipal Election shall be conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of even-numbered years, beginning March, 2020.” Ordinance 2026-01 would amend this allowing for elections to instead be done in November. This is in compliance with SB 415.

Arturo Flores, the former Huntington Park mayor who resigned on January 13, nominated Martinez for the position during the January 27 council meeting.

“I like to make a motion and to nominate someone that I feel has been the conscience of this council,” Flores said.

He noted Martinez’s accomplishments when it came to the Huntington Park arts and theater commission, as well as the new mayor’s ability of, “leading with love.”

Council member Nancy Martiz said the commission was an impactful change despite just having started in the summer of 2025.

“There’s going to be a future in Huntington Park where people know us, and I know that a lot of that work is going to be done through the arts and theater commission,” Martiz said.

The Huntington Park arts and theater commission has five seats total, but two are currently vacant according to the Huntington Park website. The current members of the arts and theater commission hold their positions until June of this year.

January 16, 2026

By: Juan Calvillo

Editor: Sienna Machado-Hidalgo

Arturo Flores resigned as Mayor of Huntington Park during a City Council meeting January 13. 

Flores said he resigned to dedicate his full attention to defending against the effort to recall the city’s mayoral vote. 

“This decision is not a retreat. It is [a] strategic choice,” Flores said.

During his brief statement, he cited that his military background gave him the tools to fight the type of fight the recall asked of him.

Flores previously said, during a council meeting in February of last year, the recall might be a retaliatory effort by those seeking to avoid accountability for mismanaging the taxpayer-funded aquatic center in Salt Lake Park. 

He was committed to investigating the failed project, and a corruption probe was conducted by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. 

Flores has been a council member since 2022 and was appointed mayor by the council in March of last year after serving as vice mayor. 

On Tuesday, council member Johnathan A. Sanabria said he acknowledged the hard work Flores did during raids conducted by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement department in Huntington Park.

“He stood up when other folks in different communities did not,” Sanabria said.

Flores said reforming the city government could build back trust from the citizens of Huntington Park, but he also acknowledged how difficult that could be during a recall.

Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez presided over the council meeting for the remainder of the evening.

Flores has been a council member since 2022 and was appointed mayor by the council in March of last year after serving as vice mayor.  

A recording of the Huntington Park city council meeting can be viewed here, on Town Hall Streams.

Christmas in Huntington Park will be a wet one as the National Weather Service announced a flood watch and wind advisory lasting until Thursday night. The City of Huntington Park’s Instagram account posted about a sandbag dispersal starting at 11:00 a.m. on December 23. 

Huntington Park residents can pick up sandbags at fire station 165 based at 3255 Saturn Avenue. Community members can fill up to 10 bags of sand at the station.

The NWS, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reports an 80% chance of rain on Christmas day, including half to three-quarters of an inch of new rain and possible thunderstorms.

The rain will affect much of Los Angeles with Karen Bass, Los Angeles mayor, advising people in the area to be cautious when traveling for the holiday season. In a press release, she said the City of Los Angeles’ Emergency Operations Center would be activated.

“Los Angeles City personnel are preparing for the storm this holiday week. First responders, public works crews and utility personnel are ready to respond to potential impacts due to the weather,” Bass said.

According to the release, Los Angeles residents can pick up sandbags at any fire station in the city. Community members can check the fire station locator for stations near them and are advised to contact their local station to check for sand availability.

For loss of power residents can contact the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at 1-800-DIAL-DWP or report the outage online.